7 Feel Good Brands that Give Back to Charity When You Shop

Like any chick, I make sure to get my healthy dose of retail therapy at least once a week (doctor’s orders). It all starts out so innocent. I take a trip to the closest mall, stop into my regular go to spots and check to see if there are any new sales. Perhaps on my last visit I missed a Mr. Rogers-quality cardigan that’s now half off. Nothing crazy right? WRONG!

After an hour cruising my beloved stores, fluorescent lights and techno music with a pulsing bass line and repetitive lyrics send me deep into the retail vortex. I’m putting on a full blown fashion show in the dressing room, asking strangers for their opinion on seven different tops that look exactly the same. I’m climbing ladders to get to the merchandise that’s up top because I’m convinced that’s where they hide the good stuff.

I eventually check my watch and realize that I’ve been stuck in the black hole of materialism for the last three hours. I’m now ravenous, so I make my way to the food court and binge eats some cheap Chinese food. Before my gluten coma kicks in, I get a natural high from all the greasy goodness and, like any good junkie, I’m back at it. Suddenly I’m rationalizing purchases that I know will never be put to use in my day-to-day life. Leather leggings that make my ass look like I’m related to Nick Minaj? Absolutely! I’ll wear them to the library.

When I’m waiting in line to check out with seven different BOGO deals in hand, I can’t help but to feel a twinge of guilt. Blame it on my upbringing, or perhaps it’s because I feel that my fellow millennials aren’t exactly socially responsible. I can’t help but to think, “Hey maybe if I spent this money on something that actually matters, the world wouldn’t suck so much.”

With a little research, it’s easy to put your retail therapy to good use and binge on brands that support some awesome charities. There are a TON of brands out there that give back without compromising quality and style. When you come to the realization that your next shopping spree could maybe save a life, feed a family, or help preserve the environment, you might never go back to conventional spending. Here are some of my favorite guilt-free feel good brands.

1:Face gives you the option to pick from eight amazing different causes when you buy one of their slick mirror-faced watches. With the purchase of your watch, you also see what your purchase does for your selected cause. For example, if you buy one watch for hunger you’re providing 16 children with Africa meals.

Sevenly features a new cause each week. With every purchase made, $7 goes to the featured cause. So far they have raised $3,181,934 and counting, and have helped over 1,008,566 people. The site is stocked with comfy tees and hoodies that display positive messages about giving back and doing your part in the world. They also have accessories, jewelry and prints!

Feed was created with the intention to feed the children of the world. One feed bag provides a child in need with a year’s worth of meals. You can choose from different styles of feed bags like Totes, duffle bags, and backpacks. They also have bracelets and t-shirts that support the cause.

If you have never checked out Lulu organics, you’ve been seriously missing out. I’m obsessed with their kick ass vintage/boho packaging. When hectic days turn into shampoo skipping nights, their organic lavender hair powder will keep your hair smelling just as awesome as the day you washed. Lulu organics donates bars of soap to The African Birth Collective, an organization that helps pregnant women in poverty stricken areas of Africa supplying them with resources, education, and personalized care.

Any good make up junkie knows it’s easy to obsess over MAC, but did you know every time you buy a M.A.C Viva Glam lipstick or gloss 100% goes to the M.A.C AIDs fund? M.A.C has supported men, women and children with HIV globally since 1994. The foundation has raised a whopping $270 million to date.

If you’ve ever passed a Lush store, you’re probably already swooning over the ridiculously magical smells that float from the store front. What you may not know is that Lush supports a plethora of Grass Roots charities. When you buy a Lush charity pot, an all-around body lotion made from organic cocoa butter, almond oil, and Ylang Ylang, every penny goes directly to charity.

Drinking for a cause? Uhmmm yes please. Half the profits of every bottle of One Hope wine sold goes straight to a variety of non-profit organizations, from autism research to U.S forest preservation. I’ll drink to that!